Red-light cameras may pop up in Wauconda

Wauconda may soon join neighbors Lake Zurich, Kildeer and a growing list of suburban towns mounting red-light cameras at intersections to catch violators.

The Wauconda village board is studying the option and recently heard a presentation from RedSpeed Illinois, the same vendor Kildeer signed on with for its photo enforcement program.

RedSpeed offers turnkey, automated red light and speed photo enforcement programs and high-tech public safety surveillance.

The Wauconda Police Department and the vendor will jointly conduct eight-hour video surveys of various village intersections to determine where cameras are needed.

Right now, officials said they believe cameras should be installed at Route 12 and Bonner Road.

Intersections with the most accidents would get preference, Mayor Sal Saccomanno said.

"The No. 1 concern is safety and hopefully reduce some accidents at intersections," Saccomanno said. "For one thing, (police) believe that the red-light violations cause the more serious accidents."

Nationally, the Federal Highway Administration lists red-light violations third behind impaired driving and excessive speed violations in accidents. Red-light violations cause more than 100,000 accidents and 1,000 fatalities yearly.

This fall, cameras will likely go up at three prominent Route 12 intersections in Lake Zurich -- Miller Road, Route 22 and June Terrace -- and at Rand and Quentin roads in Kildeer.

If approved by the Wauconda village board, cameras could be at village intersections this fall.

Saccomanno said the vendor would help educate residents about how photo enforcement works before the cameras go online.

"They really get out in the community and promote the safety of the intersections with signage and community posters," he said.

Red-light cameras generate significant revenues for towns. In 2006, Chicago made nearly $20 million in revenue from 30 cameras.

Kildeer projects about $300,000 in yearly revenue.

Wauconda village officials don't yet have a revenue estimate.

Program costs, such as camera installation and maintenance, are paid by the vendor and will be recouped through receipts from red-light violations.

The fine for each violation is $100. The village's share of that ticket revenue could be $70 or $64, depending on whether the person being cited appeals, Saccomanno said.

"I don't see the cons," he said. "People cannot go through red lights and we can't have a police officer sitting at every intersection. It also has to do with pedestrian safety as well."